THE KARMANOS CANCER INSTITUTE recently promoted five scientific staff members: Jennifer Beebe-Dimmer, Michele Cote, Justin Klamerus, Larry Matherly, and Hayley Thompson.
Beebe-Dimmer was appointed co-leader of the Population Studies and Disparities Research Program at Karmanos Cancer Institute and Wayne State University School of Medicine. She is an associate professor in the Department of Oncology. Her research focuses on the epidemiology of genitourinary cancers with a special interest in hereditary prostate cancer and familial aggregation of prostate with other cancers. She also serves as the scientific director of the Epidemiology Research Core at Karmanos.
Cote was named associate center director for Education at Karmanos Cancer Institute. She is also an associate professor in the Department of Oncology at Wayne State University School of Medicine. In this newly created position, Cote will coordinate educational activities across the Institute, overseeing the integration of research-focused education into the scientific research programs.
Cote joined the staff of Karmanos and Wayne State University in 2005 as assistant professor. Her research focuses on the intersection of molecular epidemiology and health disparities with a special interest in examining genetic and molecular factors in lung and female cancers that impact disease occurrence or prognosis in underserved populations.
Klamerus was appointed to the new position of associate center director for Community Oncology at Karmanos Cancer Institute and Wayne State University School of Medicine. He is also an assistant professor in the Department of Oncology, as well as vice president of Community-Based Programs and chief quality officer for Karmanos. Additionally, he serves as medical director for Clinical Oncology Research for McLaren Health Care. Klamerus joined the staff of Karmanos in 2014, and currently oversees operations at 12 community-based centers in the network.
Klamerus’s independent research has focused on upper aerodigestive cancers, health policy and health care disparities. He currently serves as program director of the Pathways initiative of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and also serves on committees and work groups within the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Matherly was appointed as associate center director for Basic Sciences at Karmanos Cancer Institute. He also serves as the leader of the Molecular Therapeutics Program and as is a professor in the Department of Oncology at Wayne State University School of Medicine. His research focuses on the basic biology of membrane transporters and the biology and therapeutic applications of folates and related analogs. Additionally, he leads studies aimed towards drug discovery and translational studies of chemotherapy response and resistance.
Matherly joined the staff at assistant member of the Michigan Cancer Foundation in 1987, which is now known as Karmanos Cancer institute. He oversees the Basic Science Core Cluster, which includes the Animal Model and Therapeutics Evaluation; Microscopy, Imaging and Cytometry Resources; and Proteomics Cores. He promotes and facilitates intra- and inter-programmatic collaborations, recruits new faculty, mentors junior faculty and advocates for the interests of basic science research at Karmanos.
Thompson was named leader of the Population Studies and Disparities Research Program at Karmanos Cancer Institute and Wayne State University School of Medicine. Thompson is also an associate professor in the Department of Oncology. Her research has primarily focused on the development and testing of culturally targeted interventions at all phases of the cancer care continuum, including community-based research implementation. She also works in the area of cancer survivorship, eHealth and the use of personal technologies in cancer care. Thompson joined the faculty of Karmanos and Wayne State University in 2011. She is also the director of the Witness Project of Detroit.
